We were able to remain strong, achieve our goals, and come into the new year “on the positive side”

2022 has been a difficult year, a very difficult year. And I think we're not the only ones. But we have survived. Moreover, the JML team and I are ending the year without any major losses.

The most shocking, difficult and uncertain time for us in 2022 was the period from February to May inclusively. This was the time when the first sanctions were imposed, the market was undergoing a total restructuring, and shipment directions were closed. Besides, it was unclear which banks would work and which would not. Since we are involved in international transportation and work with foreign companies and foreign banks, disconnection from SWIFT became a serious risk for us. But now, assessing that experience, we can say that we coped with everything. My team and I were able to reorient European shipments to China and other Asian destinations, and thus compensated for European volumes without losing anything. Due to the diversification of our business, which has always been one of the cornerstones of our business scheme and which we developed extensively in 2021 and 2022, we were able to maintain sustainability, achieve our goals, and come into the new year “on the plus side”.

In addition to the financial indicators, I would like to note that we are meeting the new year with the same team we started it with. We have remained an integral team: there have been no layoffs or personnel changes, which often accompany a crisis. I think this is a worthy cause for pride.

Yes, the domestic market is a little bit down, but it is alive: we have volumes and shipments are going on. And then we will look at what will happen in the Russian economy, how much the impact of sanctions will increase, what resonance will be caused by the total restructuring of the Russian market and how long the geopolitical tension will last. We cannot influence all these factors, so I will not make any forecasts, even for a year.

But I can tell you about our plans and goals. Next year we plan to continue to develop in the initially set direction: to increase shipment volumes, to diversify our business, to look for new clients and new directions. Our experience has repeatedly confirmed the correctness of this strategy.

A crisis is always a time of opportunity, which we are always looking for and trying to make the most of. There is nothing that can slow us down on this path: we are still mobile and free from rigid bureaucratic structures. We are able to react quickly to changing circumstances and adapt quickly to our customers and the market, and we have already used this “superpower” to our and our business partners' advantage many times.

In addition to mobility, flexibility and adaptability, there are other qualities that we cultivate in our team that help us cope with times of crisis. Firstly, it is the internal climate in the team, relationships built on respect, the ability to come together and overcome difficulties in a “united rush”. And secondly, our philosophical position, which I have already told you about. We are Stoics, which means that in all our affairs we are characterized by restraint, a sober and rational view of things, loyalty to our ideals, goals and chosen direction. For the next year, I wish us to remain the same team, have the same cash flow and remain true to our values!